Mary Read

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein discusses the mortal and moral limitations of individuals and the extent to which they attempt to transcend these boundaries. In particular, Shelley faults these attempts as foolhardy, brought forward by the misconstrued values and beliefs of ideologies prevalent at this time. Specifically, the Enlightenment movement (circa 1700s) valued pragmatism and individualism; believing that the pursuit of knowledge was noble and that nature was to be dominated by man. These…

In the novel, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, the theme is the monster within. In her novel, Mary Shelley introduces the creature and how he is created. She reveals the background and past of both Victor Frankenstein and the monster. As the novel, progresses the question emerges as to who is the real monster. Victor Frankenstein, the oldest son of Alphonse and Caroline Beaufort Frankenstein and husband of Elizabeth Lavenza, was born in Geneva, Switzerland. When Victor was young, his family went…

In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Robert Walton is a key character who’s narrative creates a frame tale that gives insight into Victor Frankenstein’s life to introduce themes, parallels, and Walton’s purpose in the story. In the novel, a group of letters opens and concludes the story, with recounts of Victor’s life. Through this narrative technique, the reader understands Victor’s story better and begins to identify similarities between Victor and his creation. Walton also learns life lessons…

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a story of birth and creation, revenge, and alienation as a reckless young man usurps a traditionally female role by creating life by sewing together and reanimating dead body parts in his secluded laboratory. Immediately abandoning his creation, Victor Frankenstein leaves him to fend for himself in a society that rejects the peculiar. Lost in an evil world, the Creation is forced to learn how to take care of himself as he is continuously rejected by anyone he…

Many people have at least read several novels that are classified as “horror”, such as “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. Yet, these texts would not have been possible if not for the authors during the Gothic era that laid the foundation for such works to be created by today’s novelists. The novels Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole and “Sir Bertrand” by Anna and John Aikin, give excellent examples on this subject. It was these works where the architectural environment helped give the text a sense…

It is absurd to believe that a human being and a creature can display any parallels in their personalities and even in their desires. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein and the Creature that he creates develop into identical characters by the end of the novel. It is as if the two are having a competition to see who can be the bigger monster. Due to Victor and the Creature being outsiders, their similar characteristics seem to stem from loneliness. Their never-ending feelings of…

Helen’s “Judgement of Paris” and Greek Marriage Ritual in Sappho 16, an article written by Eric Dodson-Robinson from Johns Hopkins University, explores how Homer’s writings and Greek marriage rituals feed into the meaning of Sappho’s sixteenth fragment. Primarily through exploring the parallel roles of the characters in Sappho’s fragment and Homeric tales, Dodson-Robinson begins to decipher what is beautiful in Sappho’s eyes. Exploring the subjective role of Helen in the poem, the author reveals…

Friend or foe? Good or evil? Helpful or harmful? These are all great questions associated with technology in today’s society. From the new iPhone 7 to self-driving cars technology can either be beneficial or detrimental. In certain cases technology may be helpful, but is it really necessary? Is the evolution of technology really bettering our society or is it sending us down a dangerous path that will ultimately lead to destruction? The progression of technology in human civilization is a foe;…

Mary Shelley has incorporated many important themes in her novel Frankenstein. She presents these themes through the actions of the characters in the novel.Of the most important themes in the novel the most used theme is revenge. One theme discussed by Shelley in the novel is revenge. To begin,In the beginning of the story when the monster is created he did feel hate, for he did not know what hate. For example, saying “It was dark when I awoke;I felt cold also, and half frightened, as it were,…

In his investigation, Croker briefly summarizes, and applies commentary to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Croker projects that the novel has no significance or magnitude. Croker is able to recognize that the monster was able to learn, and have deep and immense feelings. However, although Croker interpreted the monster's behavior accurately, the important themes of the book, went over his head. He bluntly announced that the story is outright absurd, disgusting and insane. Towards the end of the…